Can you get a ticket for driving with high beams on in Texas? Here’s the law
Forgetting to turn your high beams down could blind the driver in front of you, causing a collision.
That’s why it’s illegal in some situations, according to Texas law. Improper headlight use can put you at risk for an accident, or get you pulled over.
The Texas Transportation Code states that:
(1) an operator approaching an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet shall select:
(A) the lowermost distribution of light or composite beam, regardless of road contour or condition of loading; or
(B) a distribution aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the lamp projects into the eyes of an approaching vehicle operator; and
(2) an operator approaching a vehicle from the rear within 300 feet may not select the uppermost distribution of light.
This means that, if you need to use your high-beams, be sure that you turn them down when you’re within 500 feet of a car moving toward you or when you’re 300 feet or less behind a car moving the same direction.
Texas headlight laws
Keep these laws about headlight use in mind when driving in Texas, per TexasDrivingSchool.com:
Must be used at nighttime and when visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
Must turn on your headlights from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Must have two working, white headlights.
Headlights shouldn’t be obscured by a cover or grill.
Bulbs are required to have a Department of Transportation or Society of Automotive Engineers stamp on them.
Need at least two stoplamps that emit a red or amber light, visible at least 300 feet from the rear in normal sunlight.
Don’t install any device that diminishes the effectiveness or color of your headlights or taillights.
